Bavuma keen to fill number four post vacated by AB

Temba Bavuma says he will put his hand up to fill the vacant number four position in the Proteas Test batting line-up now that AB de Villiers has retired from international cricket.
The Proteas, who go to Sri Lanka for two Tests, five ODIs and one T20I next month, were rocked by the sudden decision by De Villiers to call time on his international career last month.
The 28-year-old Bavuma batted at number four in one of the four games in the Test series in England in 2016, scoring 46 and 12, and is keen to do the job again.
ALSO READ: Steyn returns to Proteas Test squad for Sri Lanka series
Bavuma said at the Proteas camp in Pretoria: “I will be opportunistic because there is a spot open for someone to come in at number four and I am putting up my hand for that position.
“Hopefully the selectors are looking towards me but if not wherever they want me to play I will try to execute as best as possible.
“There is going to be an opportunity for someone to put up their hand. I had the opportunity in England and I quite enjoyed it even though it was a tough Test match and series.
“I enjoyed the responsibility and in a way it is something that could help my game because I have not been able to convert most of my starts.
“Coming in at number four, the opportunity is there to score those big runs and it goes hand in hand with what I am trying to achieve.
“But the decision rests with the selectors, the coach and the captain.”
Looking ahead to the two Tests in Sri Lanka, starting in Galle on 12 July, Bavuma knows the Proteas batsmen will need to adapt their games to face plenty of spin bowling.
Bavuma has never played in Sri Lanka but did has a taste of sub-continent conditions when he played a Test in India, as an opener, in 2015.
The 29-Test capped batsman said: “Playing on the sub-continent is different from playing here at home because spin becomes a key thing.
“You must be able to rotate off the spin and also to hit boundaries. It is about familiarising yourself to the challenges where the ball will be spinning and you must have a game plan for that.
“I have never been to Sri Lanka but I will try to make it a good one for myself and the team.”
Latest
-
News
England fast bowler Olly Stone ready to resume Test ambitions in Sri Lanka
The Warwickshire quick is ready to prove himself again after 18 hard months since his debut.
-
News
Angelo Mathews: Sri Lanka batsmen ‘can learn a lot’ from Joe Root
Mathews hailed Root’s ‘magnificent innings’ in the first Test.
-
News
Dawid Malan happy to stay put after Trent Rockets’ show of faith
The England batsman has earned an improved deal in The Hundred.
-
News
England coach Chris Silverwood grateful for gift of the Gabba
India’s famous win over Australia grabbed the England squad’s attention in Galle.
-
News
A look at unbeaten sporting runs following end of Australia’s Gabba dominance
Australia had not been beaten at the Gabba since 1988.
-
News
Justin Langer: Rishabh Pant’s innings reminded me of Ben Stokes at Headingley
India’s Shubman Gill and Pant inspired a record-breaking victory over Australia at the Gabba.
-
News
Tim Paine: India deserves winners, outplayed Australia
Australia captain Tim Paine has conceded that his side were outplayed in key moments of the series and that India were deserved winners.
-
News
Rishabh Pant reflects on ‘dream series’ after India stun Australia at the Gabba
India’s Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant inspired a record-breaking victory at the Gabba.
-
News
India move to the top of ICC rankings
After beating Australia by three wickets in the fourth Test on Tuesday, India moved to the number spot on the ICC World Test Championship.
-
News
Rishabh Pant unbeaten 89 steers India to series win over Australia
India pulled off a record run chase at the Gabba to inflict Australia’s first defeat there since 1988.